Jan 12, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Brandon Marshall (right) and linebacker Steven Johnson against the San Diego Chargers during the 2013 AFC divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High.

Little Roy Williams shot out of bed at 2:30 a.m. one summer night last August.

He was awakened by a dream that can only be described as sublime.

In that dream, the 87-year-old Williams envisioned his grandson, former Wolf Pack linebacker Brandon Marshall, was just minutes away from playing in this year's Super Bowl.

The next day, he called Marshall, who was in training camp preparing for his second season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, to tell him about the dream.

"At first, I got excited," Marshall said. "But then I thought, 'No way. I'm in Jacksonville (which went 2-14 the previous season). We might have a few more years before we get to the Super Bowl.'"

Williams turned out to be prophetic. His grandson will play in this year's Super Bowl, although the road he traveled between his grandfather's August dream and this Sunday was so arduous even Marshall is shocked.

Shortly after that dream, Marshall was cut by Jacksonville for the third time in less than a year. The Jaguars offered him a spot on the practice squad, but Marshall needed a fresh start. He turned down Jacksonville's offer and joined the Denver Broncos' practice squad.

Still, he wasn't on the active roster, which was the ultimate goal. So, he worked and worked, hoping his shot would come, although there was no guarantee.

"It was definitely hard," Marshall said. "It was difficult because you get those thoughts, 'Am I cut out for the NFL? Am I going to make it?' Negative thoughts come to everybody's mind, but you just have to push those thoughts aside and know that you're going to make it and everything's going to work out."

On Christmas Eve, Marshall was notified that he was being promoted to the active roster to replace star linebacker Von Miller, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL.

Marshall made his Denver debut in a week 17 win over Oakland, recording two tackles, and has played in both of the Broncos' postseason wins, mostly on special teams. After beating New England in the AFC championship game - a victory that "was like magnifying the Boise State win times 10," he said - Marshall made a phone call.

"I had to call my granddad and tell him he was right," Marshall said.

Marshall and Broncos teammate Virgil Green will become the ninth and 10th Wolf Pack alums to play in the Super Bowl. They are trying to become the fifth and sixth Nevada players to win the big game, joining an exclusive list that includes Frank Hawkins, Derek Kennard, Charles Mann and Brock Marion.

Marshall is trying to stay in the moment, but he can't help but let his mind wander.

Not many players reach the NFL. Even fewer make it to the Super Bowl. Just look at Marshall's teammate, cornerback Champ Bailey, a 12-time Pro Bowler who will play in his first Super Bowl after 15 seasons in the league.

While at Nevada, Marshall said he never imagined he would play in a Super Bowl in front of this weekend's estimated 110 million people.

"I knew I would have a shot at the NFL, but I didn't know how successful I would be or if I would get to a Super Bowl," he said. "That thought never crossed my mind. I'm going to be honest: I just wanted to play in the NFL, but I didn't really think about a Super Bowl. That almost seemed too far-fetched."

Making this season even sweeter for Marshall is the fact he's playing for his childhood team. After watching Denver win back-to-back Super Bowls in 1998 and 1999, Marshall became a Broncos fan.

Now, the 24-year-old Marshall and the Broncos are 60 minutes away from winning a Super Bowl title.

"It would mean everything," Marshall said. "It would mean we won the ultimate game. There's no game bigger than the Super Bowl. Not the NBA finals. Not the World Series. None of that compares to the Super Bowl. I would be crazy to say I'm a Super Bowl champion. I could hold that for the rest of my life. To say, 'I played in a Super Bowl and won a Super Bowl' would be crazy. It doesn't get better than that."

Columnist Chris Murray provides insight on Northern Nevada sports. Contact him at cmurray@rgj.com or follow him on Twitter @MurrayRGJ.

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Chris Murray: Former Pack linebacker Brandon Marshall, TE Virgil Green set to play in Super Bowl

Brandon Marshall and teammate Virgil Green will become the ninth and 10th Wolf Pack players to reach the Super Bowl.

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